NWAEP Lunch & Learn - Floodplain Management and the Endangered Species Act: Coming Changes to the FEMA FIRM Program

NWAEP Lunch & Learn

Live in PDX

Webcast in Seattle

In July 2010, to settle a lawsuit, FEMA agreed to consult with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) over how implementation of the National Flood Insurance Program in Oregon affects listed anadromous fish. FEMA released NMFS’ draft biological opinion to the State of Oregon in July 2014 in hope that the State could help FEMA resolve some implementation issues. The State’s review found that some of the proposed reasonable and prudent alternatives could not be implemented by local governments in Oregon because they conflicted with state law or policy. The State met with NMFS and FEMA in the late summer and it appears that NMFS will make substantive changes to the proposed reasonable and prudent alternatives as a result. Christine’s talk will focus on where the State sees the consultation heading, and what alternative approaches (crafted with local government input) the State might put before NMFS for their consideration.

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Christine Shirley, as the National Flood Insurance Program Coordinator at the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, assists communities with implementing the NFIP at the local level. Her duties also include local and statewide hazard mitigation and long-term recovery planning. Prior to joining the State of Oregon, Christine worked for county government and nongovernmental organizations on watershed protection initiatives. Christine earned a Master’s degree in Geographical Information Science from Birkbeck College, University of London, and completed coursework at UC Berkley, Energy and Resources Group, where she specialized in watershed science. She was recently appointed to FEMA’s Technical Mapping Council.

Please note that the actual talk will start promptly at Noon. However we encourage everyone to join us for some friendly discussion and networking from 11:30 to 12:00.

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Please join NWAEP in Portland, OR for this Lunch & Learn discussion by registering and reserving a spot! The event will be available in Seattle via webinar, hosted at Anchor QEA. Free for members and non-members. Please email Lindsay Mico (lindsaymico@gmail.com) if you have questions.